The magazine was notable for being the first in the world to consistently produce photographs at a successful rate.[1] This was possible with the financial backing of George Desbarats, as well as the invention of half-tone photoengraving by William Leggo. The Canadian federal MP Fabien Vanasse was one of the notable journalists of the publication.

More than 15,000 illustrations were published during the magazine's 14 years of existence, before it stopped publication as it accumulated losses.

The magazine had a French language counterpart also published by Desbarats called L'Opinion publique, that published many times the English magazine's illustrations and many of its articles translated into French.